If you can't win, avoid defeat - as the proverb states.
Prior to their journey to Forest, Manchester United had secured only 8 points from losing positions with Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure a single point from the past six games when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute effort secured a tie.
When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after conceding twice in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a contentious opening period goal, Manchester United were facing defeat.
The inquiry to Amorim after his side fought back to draw could not have been more direct.
Had that match happened the previous campaign, do you feel it would have ended in defeat?'
The answer was equally forceful.
"Yes, and by a larger margin, in my opinion."
It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach selects him at defensive wing by scoring a brilliant first-time volley from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a point.
It has been obvious since the beginning of the campaign that United are playing better this season. Since the beginning of October, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.
The determination, the will, the refusal to give in are unquantifiables.
In this game, Amorim believed his players showed they have got better at that too.
"Previously, if we had such a bad five minutes and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated the coach. "Now is a distinct sensation. It's evident we might not triumph in the match but we are not going to lose. And this represents a mindset a big team sometimes has to have."
Amorim didn't say it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo probably made a difference.
The attacker is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, on the contrary in fact. In the opening period, when he was booed by the home fans for what they believed was his tactical play, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his kit.
Mbeumo is a constant threat, the epitome of a footballer who will not give an rival a moment's peace.
The coach was asked precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond saying the self-belief gained from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.
"Our self-belief, naturally, is totally different," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a different confidence. The players comprehend one another better. We talk increased about these aspects."We proved this season we can have difficult periods but suddenly, we produce three good games.
"We just need to remain engaged in the game until the last moments. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we performed in the encounter. Now, the feeling was different."
Uncertainty Lingers Over Prospects of Zirkzee and Mainoo
If this was a occasion when United displayed their resilience, it was additionally a day that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly unsure of their roles in Amorim's new-look squad.
In his pre-match press conference, the coach said it was likely members of the squad who think they are at danger of missing the World Cup will request transfers in the January signing period.
One can reasonably conclude the striker and Mainoo fall into that bracket. The forward has accumulated less than two full games from his four Premier League substitute appearances in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the total is over two hours from seven.
Not one has begun a league game so far and nor were they asked to be substituted on at the stadium, as United chased a way back into a game they were trailing in from the 50th minute.
"We have a great deal of quality on the bench but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the flow constantly, I'm going to break the rhythm," explained Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my feeling was to avoid altering anything with the guys in attack."
The midfielder had a agreement in place to move to Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but the club would not sanction a deal. The striker was returning from a fitness issue but is now open to the idea of a move back to Serie A.
The circumstances is made more complex by the loss of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of the winter, a time which includes a couple of midweek games which will require a degree of squad changes unseen before.
As the final is on January 18th, the duo should be back long before the signing period ends on February 2nd - which may mean a delayed resolution than what eager to leave player would like.
"It is the characteristics of the game," said the coach, when asked specifically about the forward and the midfielder. "The players understand it's only a phase."It's nothing to do with ability - and we have a lot of games."
